Training camp thread...

[Genghis Khan]

He's too humble. He can't take all the credit maybe, but he certainly was no bus driver. He won several games just on being clutch alone. You have to wonder if we'd have had another super bowl or two if we had staubach through 83.

 

[boozeman]

You also had a real head coach and a non-lunatic owner, Rog.

 

[boozeman]

Practice Report: Dunbar Expects Boot To Go In Three Days

Posted 33 minutes ago

Rowan Kavner DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer








ARLINGTON, Texas– Lance Dunbar won’t need to walk around in the boot he wore Thursday at the Silver and Blue Debut much longer if all goes to plan.

The speedy back who had a nice start to camp said he expects to be out of the boot in three days and still believes he can get back for the opener against the Giants.

“I’m actually ready to get out of it now, but they want me to keep it on,” he said.

Dunbar sprained his foot in the preseason game against Arizona, but the injury doesn’t appear to be as bad as the sprained foot DeMarco Murray suffered last year, which kept the starting running back out six games.

“I’m already walking on mine,” Dunbar said. “It’s getting better. It felt a whole lot better than yesterday, so I feel like it’s healing pretty fast.”

Dunbar had a strong start to camp, and if he can get back for the opener, should figure to have a role in the offense.

“I am disappointed,” Dunbar said. “It’s a setback. I’ve been working hard to showcase my skills, and the injuries set me back.”

Dunbar stood on the sideline alongside injured receiver Cole Beasley for the majority of the Silver and Blue Debut. Here are some other notes from that practice:
•Orlando Scandrick practiced with the team, one day after missing practice with a groin injury. Head coach Jason Garrett said it’s still up in the air whether or not the corner, who’s taken first-team reps in place of the injured Morris Claiborne, will play against the Bengals.
•Speaking of Claiborne’s knee injury, Garrett said last year’s first-round pick ran again Thursday and started working on changing direction. Garrett doesn’t anticipate Claiborne playing this weekend, but he could return to practice next week. Claiborne also sounded confident after practice about his recovery.

“I’ve been feeling good with the cutting,” Claiborne said. “I feel like we’ve made some big strides this week to get me back on the field.”
•Doug Free once again lined up and took reps at right guard with Jermey Parnell at right tackle as the offensive line adjusts for injuries. Garrett said the team is still in the midst of having discussions about which players will play in which spots this weekend, but the team will play different combinations.
•Along with that switch, Mackenzy Bernadeau also moved from right guard to take reps at left guard. Garrett said Bernadeau’s versatility made him a more attractive player in free agency, and the stance at left guard doesn’t seem to be an issue for him.
•Garrett reiterated that Jason Hatcher’s flexibility allows him to play the nose tackle and the under tackle positions on the line. He can even play defensive end as well in this scheme, so the Cowboys will work out different combinations of players once Jay Ratliff returns to see what works best.
•Linebacker Sean Lee, fresh off signing his new extension, said he likes the new turf installed at the stadium, which he said isn’t as thick and has more grip.

“This is more like what I’ve played on since I was young,” Lee said. “It’s really nice.”
•Garrett said when Sterling Moore joined the team after practice on a Friday from New England’s practice squad last year and played on a Sunday, it was the first time Garrett had ever heard of such an occurrence. He sees Moore as an instinctive player who can play inside and outside, but seems to be better as an inside nickel player because of his knack for being around the ball. Garrett said Brandon Underwood is bigger and longer, so he’s more apt to play outside and has played outside most of his career, but Underwood has the athletic ability to move inside as well.


•The Cowboys will continue to use B.W. Webb as an inside nickel cornerback as well as the outside, according to Garrett, who said the rookie needs to learn both spots.

“One of the things we’ve been pleased with (Webb) is how he’s come back,” Garrett said. “He didn’t have a great game at Oakland. I think he learned a lot from that experience. That’s really an important trait for everybody, particularly for guys that want to play corner in the NFL.”

 

[Lotuseater]

Practice Report: Dunbar Expects Boot To Go In Three Days

Posted 33 minutes ago

Rowan Kavner DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer








ARLINGTON, Texas– Lance Dunbar won’t need to walk around in the boot he wore Thursday at the Silver and Blue Debut much longer if all goes to plan.

The speedy back who had a nice start to camp said he expects to be out of the boot in three days and still believes he can get back for the opener against the Giants.

“I’m actually ready to get out of it now, but they want me to keep it on,” he said.

Dunbar sprained his foot in the preseason game against Arizona, but the injury doesn’t appear to be as bad as the sprained foot DeMarco Murray suffered last year, which kept the starting running back out six games.

“I’m already walking on mine,” Dunbar said. “It’s getting better. It felt a whole lot better than yesterday, so I feel like it’s healing pretty fast.”

Dunbar had a strong start to camp, and if he can get back for the opener, should figure to have a role in the offense.

“I am disappointed,” Dunbar said. “It’s a setback. I’ve been working hard to showcase my skills, and the injuries set me back.”

Dunbar stood on the sideline alongside injured receiver Cole Beasley for the majority of the Silver and Blue Debut. Here are some other notes from that practice:
•Orlando Scandrick practiced with the team, one day after missing practice with a groin injury. Head coach Jason Garrett said it’s still up in the air whether or not the corner, who’s taken first-team reps in place of the injured Morris Claiborne, will play against the Bengals.
•Speaking of Claiborne’s knee injury, Garrett said last year’s first-round pick ran again Thursday and started working on changing direction. Garrett doesn’t anticipate Claiborne playing this weekend, but he could return to practice next week. Claiborne also sounded confident after practice about his recovery.

“I’ve been feeling good with the cutting,” Claiborne said. “I feel like we’ve made some big strides this week to get me back on the field.”
•Doug Free once again lined up and took reps at right guard with Jermey Parnell at right tackle as the offensive line adjusts for injuries. Garrett said the team is still in the midst of having discussions about which players will play in which spots this weekend, but the team will play different combinations.
•Along with that switch, Mackenzy Bernadeau also moved from right guard to take reps at left guard. Garrett said Bernadeau’s versatility made him a more attractive player in free agency, and the stance at left guard doesn’t seem to be an issue for him.
•Garrett reiterated that Jason Hatcher’s flexibility allows him to play the nose tackle and the under tackle positions on the line. He can even play defensive end as well in this scheme, so the Cowboys will work out different combinations of players once Jay Ratliff returns to see what works best.
•Linebacker Sean Lee, fresh off signing his new extension, said he likes the new turf installed at the stadium, which he said isn’t as thick and has more grip.

“This is more like what I’ve played on since I was young,” Lee said. “It’s really nice.”
•Garrett said when Sterling Moore joined the team after practice on a Friday from New England’s practice squad last year and played on a Sunday, it was the first time Garrett had ever heard of such an occurrence. He sees Moore as an instinctive player who can play inside and outside, but seems to be better as an inside nickel player because of his knack for being around the ball. Garrett said Brandon Underwood is bigger and longer, so he’s more apt to play outside and has played outside most of his career, but Underwood has the athletic ability to move inside as well.


•The Cowboys will continue to use B.W. Webb as an inside nickel cornerback as well as the outside, according to Garrett, who said the rookie needs to learn both spots.

“One of the things we’ve been pleased with (Webb) is how he’s come back,” Garrett said. “He didn’t have a great game at Oakland. I think he learned a lot from that experience. That’s really an important trait for everybody, particularly for guys that want to play corner in the NFL.”

WGAS. Self fumbeler.

 

[boozeman]

Props for quoting that whole thing to make your "point", Lotuseater.

 

[Lotuseater]

Props for quoting that whole thing to make your "point", Lotuseater.

You're right. Sorry.

 

[Cotton]

That's the best that can be said.

 

[Deuce]

It's sad that we pay $10M a year for a guy and still hope for a breakout year.

 

[Cotton]

So, Ratliff won't be ready. All this sunshine pumping bullshit sunshine pumping will come to light once again.

 

[boozeman]

In light of the Felix Jones trade...

They probably asked and we clutched The Next Westbrook, He Who Runs Helmetless and Randle to our bosom like prized possessions.

 

[boozeman]

Scout’s Eye: Ready To See Free At Guard; Vet Safety Impressive

Posted 1 hour ago

Bryan Broaddus Football Analyst/Scout








ARLINGTON, Texas - Some thoughts from practice at AT&T Stadium:
•There does not appear to be any concern from Jason Garrett in regards to Jason Hatcher going from the under tackle to the nose once Jay Ratliff returns to practice. It’s Garrett's belief that because Hatcher has shown position flexibility throughout his career that the transition should not be a problem. What has to give Garrett and this staff confidence is how well Hatcher has played over all in this camp. I still will be interested to see how this switch goes.
•There is no doubt in my mind that we will see Doug Free lined up at right guard at some point and time in this game against the Bengals. If Free had been struggling at tackle during this camp, I believe there is no way the staff would have made this adjustment.
What my concern about with this move is not so much about Free but how well will Jeremy Parnell play at right tackle. Just from what I have seen, Parnell is not moving as well as we had observed from him last season. I don't if the knee is still bother him but he is just not bending well enough that area. What you need to watch for is if he doesn't sit lower in his set that he becomes over extended and that will be the sure sign that he will struggle with the rusher.

•Kevin Kowalski is back in the mix with the offensive line after missing several practices in California having suffered an injury to his knee cap. For Kowalski, I don't believe it's too late to make a run at a roster spot because the one position that I believe is unsettled is what this front office is going to do with backup spots along this offensive line.
In the practices since his return, he has been getting reps at both guard spots and center as well. At this point David Arkin is ahead of him but the flexibility of Kowalski is inviting for that last roster spot on the line. Arkin can play center but it’s not his best position matter of fact, I cannot remember him taking snaps at center where he played extensively in all of training camp last season. The one trait that Arkin has over Kowalski is his size and Garrett has made it clear that is something to note where comparing the players.

•On the injury front had a chance to visit with Morris Claiborne after practice and he was encouraged by the work that he was able to accomplish in the heat at Valley Ranch. He said that the soreness in the knee is going away and he was able to do some cutting on it which is a much better sign than what we had heard before about his condition.

Orlando Scandrick was back at practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday with a slight groin injury. Scandrick did not appear to struggle when turning or adjusting to movement in routes. There were even a couple of reps where he was able to handle Dez Bryant in the Red Zone period of practice and didn't appear to be favoring the injury at all.

The defensive coaches are still attempting to get as many reps as possible for B.W. Webb before these practices in training camp run out because once the regular season starts, he will most likely just working on the scout teams unless something changes with the other cornerbacks ahead of him.
•I am still continued to be impressed with the play I have seen from Will Allen. Through these practices there just appears to be a nice fit in this scheme for him but also in the way he is working with Barry Church.
Allen just plays with an air of confidence. There is no struggle to cover ground or wasted motion when asked to handle coverage. In the Thursday practice, he once again did an outstanding job of handling Miles Austin on a crossing route through the end zone where Tony Romo had no place to deliver the ball. Last week in the Arizona game, he was right there with Orlando Scandrick to knock the ball away on the goal line.



With Allen you are getting a steady, calm player that understands where he needs to position himself on the field whether it is as a single high player or a two deep man off the hash, he is finding ways to be in the right spot. Where this organization has struggled through the years, is finding a safety that not only showed range in coverage but was able to make plays on the ball. With Will Allen, they have appeared to taken a step in the right direction.

 

[Simpleton]

I feel somewhat confident in Allen at safety, doesn't seem like he'll make a bunch of big plays but he'll be solid and not give up a bunch of clear stuff over the top.

As for Free, it sounds like we might start him at RG with Parnell at RT and Bernadeau at LG. If so, this would be quite the ballsy move but also shows how this idiot organization basically just sat on their hands all offseason while hoping for the best.

 

[Lotuseater]

I feel somewhat confident in Allen at safety, doesn't seem like he'll make a bunch of big plays but he'll be solid and not give up a bunch of clear stuff over the top.

As for Free, it sounds like we might start him at RG with Parnell at RT and Bernadeau at LG. If so, this would be quite the ballsy move but also shows how this idiot organization basically just sat on their hands all offseason while hoping for the best.

Allen is ok, but he will get torched by the NFL's better recievers. The Giants will try to match him up on Cruz or Nicks sometimes and he cant "calmly" cover them. Maclin being out will help against Philly and Washingtons recievers aren't that great, so he should be ok in the Division but the better armed teams at receiver in the NFL at large will be a problem for this secondary, unless they play much better than they have in the preseason.

 

[Simpleton]

Allen is ok, but he will get torched by the NFL's better recievers. The Giants will try to match him up on Cruz or Nicks sometimes and he cant "calmly" cover them. Maclin being out will help against Philly and Washingtons recievers aren't that great, so he should be ok in the Division but the better armed teams at receiver in the NFL at large will be a problem for this secondary, unless they play much better than they have in the preseason.

I doubt we see Allen matched up in man coverage against slot WR's much, if at all.

 

[Smitty]

I'm getting tired of Bryan Broaddus.

Also, getting tired of Booze's horrendous and lazy article formatting.

 

[Smitty]

I feel somewhat confident in Allen at safety, doesn't seem like he'll make a bunch of big plays but he'll be solid and not give up a bunch of clear stuff over the top.

As for Free, it sounds like we might start him at RG with Parnell at RT and Bernadeau at LG. If so, this would be quite the ballsy move but also shows how this idiot organization basically just sat on their hands all offseason while hoping for the best.

I'd hope Leary takes that LG spot back as soon as he's healthy.

 

[boozeman]

Scout’s Notebook: Keep An Eye On Free-Atkins Matchup Inside
Posted 16 hours ago

Bryan Broaddus
Football Analyst/Scout


IRVING, Texas - Some thoughts from Valley Ranch before the Cincinnati Game:

This will be a huge challenge for this Cowboys offensive line to have to deal with the front seven of the Cincinnati Bengals for three quarters. Mike Zimmer has an outstanding group of defenders to work with. In going back and studying their preseason game with Atlanta, they physically man-handled the Falcons front.
Geno Atkins plays at the under tackle and can really be a handful when he attacks the outside shoulder of the guard. Domata Peko at nose will test Travis Frederick when he has to make that reach or cut off block. These linebackers are active and now with long time Steeler, James Harrison in the mix, it’s a nasty group. Through three preseason games, this first unit of offensive linemen protection wise, has been up to the challenge of keeping Romo and Orton upright where the improvement needs to come is having more opportunities to run the ball in this zone scheme.


When these two teams met last season at Paul Brown Stadium, it was the worst games that I had ever seen A.J. Green play in his career, pro or college. Green is one of the league’s most dynamic receivers and when he gets its rolling on the outside, he can be a nightmare to deal with. Last week, Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick got a taste of Larry Fitzgerald, this week, it’s Green.
Where Green will test these corners is with his vertical speed which is something that you do not have to deal with that much when you mark Fitzgerald. But like Fitzgerald, the way he goes about catching the ball is similar. I have observed games where Green has contorted his body in all positions to make a catch. He is fearless across the middle, physical on the slant and nimble along the sideline.
What makes this matchup interesting is that both Carr and Scandrick have done a nice job of battling Dez Bryant all camp, so working against Green will continue to get them those elite snaps. Green has been a little banged up this preseason but even in that condition, it’s a nice matchup.


In the opening game of this preseason against the Dolphins, Bill Callahan was committed to running the football and doing his best in the manner in which he saw fit to make that happen. The offensive line, tight ends and backs did an outstanding job of working together and making that happen.
In that game, DeMarco Murray sat on the sideline and watched as his teammates controlled the Dolphins with a physical, downhill style that many had not seen from this club in a while. I have mentioned earlier that running the ball against the Bengals front will not be easy but if Callahan does decide to test his troops again, it’s going to be up to Murray to carry the mail early.
From what I have seen from Murray this training camp is a player that has a bit of a chip on his shoulder in trying to prove his critiques wrong that he cannot last an entire season as this team’s starting running back. Murray’s preseason numbers are not anything that stand out but this game sets up as an outstanding opportunity for him to show that he has in fact done everything in his power to have the type of season that this squad needs him to have.
It’s going to take a strong, physical effort by Murray to run the ball against this front seven but that’s what you want to see from him going into this opening game against the Giants.


When you are watching this game on Saturday night, pay close attention to whom these coaches are using off the bench early in this game. Study the rotation patterns of the wide receivers and the defensive line. Is Phillip Tanner playing before Joseph Randle.
Make sure you take a close look at these special teams. Not so much who might be playing on the kick off team but who is lining up on the punt and punt return teams. Those are usually clues what the coaches feel about the young players and where they might fit in on the 53. See how they are using Jeff Heath, Caleb McSurdy, Cameron Lawrence and Anthony Armstrong,because these are your bubble players.
As much as we all want to believe that the last game of the preseason can change the minds of the front office and coaches, it’s really not the case at all. From my experience in this league working in player personnel, you generally had your team cut by the time you get to that last game. This game on Saturday night could change the NFL lives of the players on this squad, good or bad.​

 

[boozeman]

Scout's Eye: Free Held Up At Guard; Safety Spot Becoming Clear

Posted 1 hour ago

Bryan Broaddus Football Analyst/Scout







Observations from the film room at Valley Ranch:

•I understand what the front office and staff were trying to accomplish by playing Doug Free at guard just to get an idea of how that might look if in fact injuries might force them to play that way. For having never played the position at any point in his career, he did not embarrass himself.
One of his better plays in the run game was on a zone play coming to his right and he was able to get enough of Geno Atkins to allow Phillip Tanner to get the ball to the corner. I thought he did a much better job when the play went away. He was able to fight to the second level and secure the block on the linebacker. He did have a play where the Bengals front slanted to the inside which caused both he and Parnell problems because they were reaching to their right and it put them both in bad blocking positions.

In pass protection, some of the issues that he has at tackle showed up in this game. When he plays tall or with straight legs, he tends to get in trouble. This happened to him on the second sack, when he got compressed but his line mates, Tyron Smith and Jermey Parnell were not much better.

Where Free has made improvement in this camp has been his ability to use his hands. There were several plays where he was able to get them inside on the rusher and work his feet to stay in front. There were two nice plays where he was able to control Bengals nose man, Domata Peko one-on-one which allowed Travis Frederick to help Mackenzy Bernadeau across the pocket.





On the touchdown to Miles Austin, he worked very well with Frederick, Parnell and Phillip Tanner to handle a twist stunt. The group was able to sort it all out and not only allow Romo to pump fake Bryant on the right side but wait for Austin to clear from the left all the way across the end zone.

In the quest, to find the best five for this offensive line, there is now film of Doug Free getting work at right guard and there is no better time than the preseason to make that happen. Going into this game, I was more concerned about Jermey Parnell at right tackle than I was of Free at guard. I am just not sure that Parnell is physically right which leads me to believe that the best option is to keep Free at right tackle where he has been playing well and now giving Kevin Kowalski an opportunity until Ronald Leary returns hopefully the week of the New York Giants game.


•Word from the locker room after the game on Saturday night, was that Jay Ratliff's injury appears to be more serious than first believed and there is a possibility of him not being available for the opening game against the Giants. It's never easy to deal with a potential loss like this to start the season, but where this injury will hurt the club the most is in their pass rush.
I have become a huge fan of what Nick Hayden has been able to do since he was put in the starting lineup the night of the Raiders game. With Hayden, you get what you see, a high effort and motor type of player that is going to give you everything he has for every snap but when he is paired with Jason Hatcher, you do not get the same pass rush you potentially could have.

In an effort to generate more pass rush, the defensive staff has put Ben Bass in Hayden's place to try and make that happen but with Bass, he has to win right off the snap to get pressure. if the quarterback does hold the ball, then you will see Bass give chase but if he doesn't win, he has to fight blocks and at times, that is difficult for him. With Ratliff's status now truly in question, the return of Anthony Spencer to this front, is more vital than ever.


•I believe that the picture at safety became much clearer after the game on Saturday night. Barry Church and Will Allen will be the starters and both have complimented each other very well this camp. Church has been the hammer while Allen has been a nice influence in the center of the defense. The biggest question I had coming into this game against the Bengals was how would the backup positions shake out at that spot.




As much as I want to wait and see what you have with Matt Johnson, it is hard to turn a blind eye to the type of camp that Jeff Heath has had since he has seen more playing time in California. I still don't believe that Heath is as good as Johnson as a player but I know that I can depend on Heath to line up on defense and make plays. He has been a physical player in defensive snaps but also been a reliable player on special teams, where Johnson has not. This game is about being healthy enough to play and you move forward with the players that can stay that way.

J.J. Wilcox is every thing I believed he would be when I first observed him on that film from Georgia Southern. Like Heath, he has a physical side and when he learns how to play in coverage, he is going to be a force to deal with. I see think he needs to work on his eyes but from what I have seen from Jerome Henderson and Joe Baker, they can teach him those finer points.

I believe that this club is going to carry five safeties with Danny McCray as the fifth guy and a core special teams player. It might seem like a dangerous situation to carry two rookies in Heath and Wilcox as your backups, but both these kids deserve the opportunity to grow into the position and see if they can develop with more experience.

 

[junk]

I had to look up Hayden to see where he came from. Wisconsin grad who actually had more than a handful of starts in Carolina.

 

[boozeman]

I doubt we see Allen matched up in man coverage against slot WR's much, if at all.

I noticed last night we would march out an OLB on WRs when they would go wide against their base defense. They did it with Carter, Durant and Holloman with mixed results.